A 26-year-old St. Petersburg woman is behind bars after police say they found an elderly adult in her care living without running water in a home that had experienced extended power outages, surrounded by feces, and surviving on little more than cabbage leaves. Jacqueline Leahy was arrested Oct. 2 and now faces a felony charge of neglect of an elderly person or disabled adult causing great bodily harm.
Police Describe Squalid Conditions Inside the Home
According to WTSP, investigators said the elderly victim was found living in unsanitary conditions, with feces discovered on the person, on furniture and throughout the home. Investigators also allege the victim had little food available and was surviving on cabbage leaves, the station reported.
The affidavit cited by the station indicates the home was without water and had gone through extended power outages. Authorities ultimately removed the elderly adult from the residence for medical treatment after finding an untreated urinary tract infection, the report states.
Felony Charge Tied to Alleged Failure to Provide Care
Investigators allege Leahy failed to provide the necessary care and services to maintain the victim's health and well-being, per the same account. Police say Leahy was arrested after investigators determined she had failed to provide adequate care to a vulnerable adult under her supervision.
Under Florida law, neglect of an elderly person or disabled adult is defined as a caregiver's failure or omission to provide the care, supervision and services necessary to maintain that person's physical and mental health, according to the Florida Legislature. When that neglect results in great bodily harm, permanent disability or permanent disfigurement, state statute classifies it as a second-degree felony — the level of charge Leahy now faces.
Case Status
Leahy remains in custody awaiting trial, according to jail records cited in the report. Details such as the victim's exact age, relationship to Leahy, and current medical condition have not been made public.
